This was the first time Blue Fox entered the monastery. He looked around and was disappointed after just a quick glance. Co-author Were the Frankish temples so shabby?
That was not the case for Esquier. He saw the blue fox looking at this and that, and immediately started to do his own business.
The old guy preached to Blue Fox with a smile: "You are a noble person and you should also have a great faith."
"Faith?" Blue Fox couldn't help but Taking a step back, I suddenly understood this person's intention. "Eskil, I know your name. Why bother? I'm just Lord Rurik's messenger."
"Yes. It doesn't matter if you put a sand clock in the future for important things. Those The armed men believe in Odin, but you! You must not believe that. You are a good person and believe in our god!”
“Really? I still prefer gold and silver coins, and women."
This little fat man explained this, is this person the kind of weirdo who doesn't believe in any gods? In Eskil's view, this kind of talent is the easiest to be influenced.
“You should at least believe in one god.” Esquier’s words were meaningful, even with a hint of philosophy: “We don’t know the future, but the Almighty Lord must have determined everyone’s future. Destiny. Believe in our Lord, and you will avoid all kinds of disasters. Each of us will die. I can see that you have a noble soul. Believe in our Lord, and your noble soul will go to heaven..."
"No!" Blue Fox waved his hand vigorously: "Stop talking, I will think carefully about whether to listen to your suggestion."
He didn't say anything, which means there is still something to play behind, Ace Gere also didn't think his persuasion would have immediate results. Then he comforted him again and added some information in his words: "You know, Hedebe is a no-man's land. The demon-like gangs that breed in the mud are most focused on big businessmen like you. They are not afraid of anything." , I would rather take risks for money. You should think carefully and believe in our Lord, and you will be blessed by Him. And realistically speaking, the Count of Hamburg and Bremen will give you real blessings.”
"You want the protection of a Frankish noble?" Blue Fox didn't expect that this Frankish monk would speak like this. Is a monk qualified to say this? He laughed loudly and said with disdain: "I am a person protected by Prince Rurik."
Esquier, who has traveled far and wide, also did his part: "It's better to think about it carefully. This place is already Lord’s Domain! Prince Ross is indeed great, but he is too far away. In this Lordless City, Frank will give you some real help, but you have to truly become us..."
As a businessman, you can't do anything absolutely, not to mention that Heideby is indeed not peaceful. Smart businessmen all know the principle of multiple friends and multiple paths.
Blue Fox's mood relaxed, and he said with a business-like smile: "I will consider your suggestion carefully, and I believe in your goodwill. Now, I don't want to waste any more time."
p>He immediatelyGiving John Ingvar a look, the rope of the bag he had been holding was immediately pulled away.
John Invall unfolded the rolled letter paper and sent it over to the surprise of the teacher Esquier.
"Pada, this is a personal letter from Prince Rurik to you. Don't worry, the whole text is in Latin."
"It's all in Latin? He..."
p>
Esquier didn't know how to answer. At first, he thought it was a parchment document, and it had a completely different texture when he touched it in his hand.
What a strange writing material, like parchment or cloth. He didn't know about paper. He had been moving in the north of the kingdom and didn't know anything about papyrus.
Of course he can quickly understand the Latin contents of the letters, but the contents are too strange.
"Ah! The auditorium is no longer suitable. Follow me, let's go to the clerk's room."
Eskil is a man of action, and this monastery is also his first in Denmark. Home. He must regularly summarize the results of his work, and then send the letter to the nearby Count of Hamburg, and then send it to Prince Ludwig through the Count's messenger.
He is essentially the most important missionary in the North and the most radical person in spreading faith to Denmark. He has a high status in the church and has the right to use expensive parchment to write letters.
He was not surprised when he saw the paper for the first time, because he had no idea what it was.
The document was actually written by that handsome young warrior king Rurik himself? The font is a bit strange, but I have to say that the font throughout is very neat.
With this document alone, he became extremely interested in Ross.
The contents of the document involve major events, and even describe very bizarre situations.
Eskir has finished reading the document, which describes Rurik’s request.
He took a deep breath and said, "Is this completely true? John, tell me the truth and don't lie."
"I don't dare."
Eskil looked at the fat blue fox again: "My students are honest, and I dare not doubt Rurik and you, but... you actually kidnapped the princess of the Kingdom of Mercia, Wesek. The bishop of the Kingdom of Sri Lanka wrote to me about this. I tell you clearly that I know the girl named Mary." Blue Fox became interested immediately after hearing this: "But Mary is dead. To be clear, the cemetery is by a lake in the far east. My master is asking you to admit that her child believes in your Frankish god."
Esquier's heart is beating fast because of this. The boy named Reglaf is Rurik's son! The death of Princess Mary is a tragedy, but what is it but a miracle that a boy is born from a disemboweled abdomen?
"John, Regrave was indeed baptized?" he asked.
"Yes, I am the Baptist."
"Ah!" Esquier's bald head tilted up to the wooden ceiling, "Lord! Rurik of the East is A Lamb that has wavered, His Son has believedYou..."
There was a murmur of Latin words that Blue Fox couldn't understand, and he was a little impatient: "I just want to get accurate information, do you recognize this child? Grant religious status? ”
“Of course! I admit that child, but..." Eskil obviously had reservations.
"How? "Blue Fox asked.
"My John is not qualified to baptize. It is true that I left him in the north. John is not an official pastor. Previous baptisms do not count. "
"Okay, I understand, I will tell my master, Frank refuses to admit it. ”
Blue Fox’s words are taken for granted, and the words themselves are neutral. Blue Fox doesn’t bother to care about what the child believes.
Esquier felt that he had offended this distinguished guest. : “I mean no harm. You are going back to Ross in the fall, and I want to go with you this time. I want to see Rurik in person, I want to baptize Reglaf in person. I also know that Mercia is in chaos, and that child is indeed the legitimate heir to the throne. I will also choose an opportunity to take him to Rome to officially obtain the throne..."
Eskil Enos He spoke a lot in Danish dialect, but Blue Fox still didn't care what this guy said.
Blue Fox heard that this old boy planned to go to Ross again, and he would explain everything to the prince face to face. , which is more effective than reporting it in person.
In the end, Blue Fox did not tell Esquier his answer. He was very interested in the Frankish monastery and visited the worship hall. Confessions, baptistery, etc.
I have to say that this experience gave Blue Fox a strange feeling. The most peculiar thing was that he could not see any statues of gods, only a unique wooden sculpture with a description. A man who was crucified.
Since Blue Fox was interested, Esquier was interested in introducing him.
The monastery lacked gold and silver utensils, and all the Frankish monks lived in poverty. Their clothes are extremely simple, and their bedrooms are extremely boring.
Who wants to believe in their gods?
But if their gods can avoid disasters. Good luck, just trust me.
Blue Fox met his armed guards waiting outside and casually described what he had seen to his brothers.
Someone asked about John Ingvar. Why didn't he come out?
Blue Fox's explanation instantly made everyone laugh: "That guy likes that monk, just like a wife likes her husband. That guy has a problem with his mind, he will serve that old guy..."
Men still like men? Even the friendliest comrades will not go further. Blue Fox and his guys don't understand, Naturally, John thought that was happy, so he just let him go.
Blue Fox had his own way of rewarding his brothers, so he took them to find places where women can be happy and happy. There are several Biko, and the owners of those facilities are also friends of the "Business Guild".Once you have a good job, you can talk to the old guys about trading, because they are also in the leather business.
John Invall stayed in the monastery. This used to be his home. After more than two years of absence, the place has indeed changed a lot. This place is familiar yet strange, and what remains unchanged is Eskil's attitude towards himself.
Of course he brought some specialties of Ross when he came back. He added some honey and chrysanthemum water to make soap. After taking a bath, his whole body exuded a strange fragrance.
Fragrance is considered to have sacred power. John Invall has been in the north for many years, and his whole person has become sacred?
"Wow! You are like an angel."
Eskil welcomed his student, his "lover", and John Invar was as obedient as ever.
Eskil found catharsis for the first time in a long time, and also listened to John's more detailed report.
John's words were very detailed and rough, and some general but key information attracted Eskil's attention.
Russians immigrated to the East on a large scale, and that could be a place of prosperity. The Normans love war, killing and plundering, which Eskil has always criticized. Prince Rurik of Rus actually led his people to cultivate the land and grow wheat. This is incredible.
If the Russians stopped using violence and became docile farmers, he might be able to make contact in the East...
The more he thought about it, the more Esquier felt that he would go to the East to make contact Ross, who has already immigrated, is more meaningful than expanding his followers in northern Sweden.
As John Ingvar describes very clearly, the Prince of Rus personally gave permission for the construction of a small monastery. The handsome young man Rurik has never been rejected, so he has a huge opportunity.
Before, John Invar was not a pastor. Now Esquier drafted the document. He has officially appointed John as a pastor and is qualified to be a real missionary, but he still needs to go through a legal process.
In the northern Franks, the Archbishop of Reims manages all the northern bishoprics of the kingdom, and all priests require official certification from Reims. The Archbishops of the Frankish Kingdom and all archdioceses throughout Western Europe need to accept their fate from the Western Patriarch, the so-called Roman Pope.
This is a very rigorous system, inherited from the destroyed Western Roman Empire, and now the huge Frankish kingdom has been essentially divided. All the nobles support this system, so the kingdom is already the de facto The three princes in the world are independent in their own affairs, but they are still unified in terms of faith.
In this era, they still firmly believe that relying on a word of mouth and charitable actions can influence others. In the past few decades, Eskil has never, let alone dared to use any force. What a coincidence. It is true that no external force seriously wanted to kill him.
Rurik’s previous house arrest was already considered crude, and of course Eskil’s actions were uncharacteristically radical.
Now that he is staying in the ownerless city of Heideby, Denmark, he has learned well and is afraid of being radical.Missionary behavior arouses a certain force.
It was exactly five days before John Invall returned to Ross Shop. He was almost unrecognizable in his black robe and black hat.
The guards were all laughing. They carefully observed whether the boy was walking with a limp. Not to mention, there was indeed a little bit, and they laughed again immediately.
John Invar didn’t know why these guys were laughing. He came back today just to report some things to Blue Fox.
The most important thing is that the teacher decided to go to New Roseburg in the East in the fall. Eskil still has a lot of ideas, so there is no need to tell the big businessman Blue Fox.
These days, the Blue Fox doesn't care at all about John Ingvar's personal safety, and I don't think Eskil will hurt his baby.
In the past few days, Blue Fox attended a meeting. In a longhouse on the seaside, thirty wealthy businessmen from across the city gathered together.
A pair of wolf-like eyes stared at the blue fox, and this little fat man was the center of attention.
Because, this guy brought too many Ross squirrel skins, and the price was very comfortable, which made everyone rush to buy them.
The guys were not short of money and sent a lot of silver coins to Ross' shop, but no matter how much leather they had, there was a limit, so conflicts and disputes inevitably occurred.
In a sense, Blue Fox is already the president of this loose merchant guild. In fact, "president" is just a false title. Only interests are the most important.
He preached at the lively meeting: "We are all businessmen, and we will always cooperate for the sake of profit. It would be very difficult if we fight each other. The intersection of all contradictions is your desire for more. The amount of leather I brought still cannot meet your needs. Maybe we should discuss a distribution principle."
Blue Fox is not worried about the difficulty of selling leather, because he and Old Eric. Through the mouths of this mixed group of merchants, we have clearly understood that the leather is not just sent to the Danish market, but a large amount of leather will be sent to the Frankish Kingdom, and all the lords, big and small, are buyers!
Don’t they catch squirrels and ferrets themselves?
Of course they were caught, but there were not many small animals in the kingdom, and the few goods received could not meet the needs of the Frankish nobles. Wanting more means invading Lady Wenderslav's territory, which means war.
Because Frankish merchants will also pursue greater profits, they can make big profits by transporting precious leather from the north to the south of the kingdom, especially to Greece and Anatolia, where the Eastern Roman Empire Nobles, big and small, are the largest consumers of leather in the North.
How can the low price proposed by the Russians make the Hedeby businessman excited? That's a total of 30,000 pieces of big red squirrel skins. This is the skin of the giant squirrel that has become extinct in Frankland!
Indeed, in the no-man’s land of the cold zone in Northeastern Europe, the Russians directly used crossbows to aim and shoot for hunting, coupled with traditional net bag trap operations, they swept away all the small animals in the undeveloped land.
Besides, the Ross Store is selling pure white polar bear skins this year. If they are sold to the Frankish nobles, they can make a fortune from just one skin!
Blue Fox already knows that leather will mainly flow into the Frankish market. Going to Frank to do business is too far and risky. Now a large group of buyers are rushing to buy it. He and the Prince of Rus can easily and quickly make a lot of money!
Blue Fox pioneered the concept of futures at this meeting. However, the invention of the concept of "futures" is also inevitable. When economic activities reach a certain scale, it will begin to appear.
All the businessmen announced their financial resources to each other, and then they competed with each other, and then tried to say that they would pay a certain price to buy it.
This is the expected price of various animal leathers after negotiating that a large amount of leather will enter the Hedebe market next year. This has evolved into a home buying market where all businessmen want to eat the biggest piece of cake, so the price is naturally to raise a higher price to take away the largest share.
When Blue Fox realized that he could reap huge benefits by letting them mess around like this, he let them mess around. He has a bottom line price, as long as they don't offer less than that.
Blue Fox knows nothing about the concept of "Tulip Mania", or perhaps all businessmen do not know or understand this concept, but their group of businessmen have already started taking action.
Especially Blue Fox, he started extremely advanced actions.
This year's leather has been divided up by the merchants, and Blue Fox signed a new agreement with this group of merchants.
He promised that thirty thousand squirrel skins would arrive at Hedeby next year, and the agreement signed on the wooden document was for this amount. A higher price was determined by the merchants, and everyone also determined their respective purchase shares, which were determined in the form of documents.
An interesting thing happened. Some businessmen suddenly realized that they could sell the documents and vouchers in their hands to their peers, so that they could get a sum of money immediately. Or if you buy the vouchers of your peers, you can get a huge share of the purchase, so that you can bring a large amount of leather to Frank and make greater profits.
These are things for later...
Blue Fox is indeed an excellent businessman, but his imagination is still a little lacking. He was very happy, because the old business families in Hedebe were all about trade reputation, and subjectively they did not dare to damage their reputation. This operation of his own has secured a clear market for a large amount of leather for Ross next year. What is this if not a great achievement?
Suddenly he even felt that his seat had surpassed that of his eldest brother Bai Hu and his father.